Wrapping machine



WRAPPING MAC-HI NE Original Fild Aug. 6, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet l at 'l cm\ KEM- June 19, 1928.

H. H. METCALF WRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 6,19% s Sheets-Sheet 2 r INVYENTOR BY Hog/0 rd 1'2. lie/ fay %%W 7 A TTORNE 1 June 19, 1928.

H. H. METCALF WRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 6, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR Howard 71. 772%? Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

HOWARD H. METCALF, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BATTLE CREEK BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE COMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

Original application filed August 6, 1923, Serial No. 655,980. Divided and thisapplieation filed August 22,

1924, Serial No. 733,569.

This invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines.

My improved wrapping machine is especially designed by me for the wrapping of 5 loaves of bread and the like preliminary to sealing the same as illustrated in myapplication for Letters Patent filed August 6, 1923, Serial No. 655,980, the present application being a division of said application. 7 I

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved wrapping mechanism which is readily adjusted to accommodate articles of different size.

A further object is to'provide an improved wrapping mechanism which is very eificient and at the same time is very simple.

Objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation of my improvements will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in thefollowing specification. The. invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the improvements of myinvention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a plan view of a sealing machine embodying my improved wrapping mechanism. i

Fig. I I is a right hand elevation.

Fig. 111 is a fragmentary transverse section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the wrapper upon the article tobe wrapped as it is fed to the machine. a

Fig. V is a fragmentary perspective v1ew further illustrating the relation of the loaf' to the folding mechanism as the loaf is advanced into the machine.

Fig. VI is a fragmentary sectional view showing the wrapper engaged by the first folders.

Fig. VII is afragmentary perspective view partially in section illustrating the artiele as the wrapper is engaged by the top folders.

Renewed June 15, 1925. i

Fig. VIII is a perspective view of the completely wrapped article.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. I

Referring to thedrawings, the frame side members 1 are mounted upon the base members 2. These side members 1 are connected 00 by cross pieces 3 providing a rigid frame. Disposed centrally of theframe is a bottom heating plate 4. The central bottom or way members 5 are mounted at their inner ends on this plate 4 and at their outer ends on the cross piece 3.

The way members 6, 6 and 7, 7 are mounted for adjustment as described and claimed in my said original application.

My improved wrapping mechanism is mounted on the adjustable way or bottom members 6, 6 and comprises, in general, the flap folders 8, 9 and 10. Before placing the articles in the machine the wrapper 11 is placed around the article to be wrapped as the loaf 12, see Fig. IV, with its edges overlapping at the bottom of the loaf. The operator then grasps the wrapper and loaf as ilndicated in Fig. IV forming the first folds The partially wrapped loaf is then placed in the machine resting upon the way or bottom and'pushed forward where the front flap 14 is folded by means of the flap folders 8 having the adjustable fingers 15, the 35 fingers 15 being adjustable to the height of the loaf so as to form a definitecrease or fold for the top flap 16.

As the loaf is further advanced the bottom flap 17 is engaged by the plate orboard 0 like flap folder 9 having the rearwardly I inclined forward edge 18, see Figs. I, V and VI, the flap 17 being gradually folded upward as the loaf is pushed along until the loaf lies between these flap folders as shown in Fig. VII.

The top flaps 16 are engaged and folded down by the folders 10 which are provided with out-turned flgnges 19 on their lower edges. These folders 10 are adjustably mounted on the uprights 20 by means of the brackets 21 slidable upon the uprights and secured thereto by means of the thumb screws 22. The brackets are slotted at 2 1 to receive the bolts 25 which secure the folders to the brackets. This permits the adjustment of the height of these flap folders 10 and alsothe adjustment of their inclined relation relative to the way and folders 9, the rear edges 26 of which are rearwardly inclined so that when the loaves are delivered to the sealing. plates 27 they are completely Wrapped.

The loaves are passed from the sealing plates to the cooling plates 28. The flap folders 9 are preferably longitudinally corrugated on their inner sides as shown in Fig. VII so that as the article is moved along between them, the wrapper is held snugly in position and does not tend to creep.

By the aid of my improved wrapping and sealing machine, articles such as loaves of bread may be rapidly and neatly wrapped and sealed. The machine is quickly ad usted to accommodate various sizes of loaves or other articles.

I have illustrated and described my improvements as I have embodied the same in a wrapping machine for bread. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain modifications or adaptations asI believe the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt my improvements as may I be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

'1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of a plate-like bottom flap folder having its upper edge inclined forwardly at the front end thereof,

and inclined rearwardly at the rear end thereof, a plate-like top flap folder disposed above said bottom flap folder and having an outwardly inclined flange at its lower edge, supporting uprights for said top flap folder, brackets on said top flap folder pivotally connected thereto and slidably mounted to said uprights whereby said top flap folder is supported for vertical and tilting adjustment relative to said bottom flap folder, a

tom flap folder having its upper edge infront flap folder disposed in front of said bottom flap folder, and a blade adjustable relative to said front flap folder, and side heating plates at the rear endsof said top and bottom folders to engage the closed flaps. I

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of a plate like botclined forwardly at the front end thereof and inclined rearwardly at the rear end thereof, a plate-like top flap folder disposed above said bottom flap folder and having an outwardly inclined flange at its lower edge,

a supporting uprights for said top flap folder,

' and brackets on said top flap folder pivotally connected thereto and slidably mounted to said uprights whereby said top flap folder is supported for vertical and tilting adjustflap folder is supported for tilting and for vertical adjustment relative to said bottom flap folder.

4; In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of a bottom flap folder, a top flap folder disposed above said bottom flap folder, supporting uprights for said top flap folder and brackets on said top flap folder slidably secured to said uprights whereby said top flap folder is supported for tilting and for vertical adjustment relative to said bottom flap folder;

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of an end flap folder operatively associated with said way, a finger adjustably associated with said end flap folder, a blade-like top flap folder having an outwardly inclined flange at its lower edge, and means for supporting said top flap folder for vertical and tilting adjustment.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of an end flap folder operatively associated with said way, a creasing finger adjustably associated with said end flap folder, a top flap folder-mounted for vertical and tilting adjustment with its forward end overhanging the said creasing finger.

7 In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of a fixed bottom flap folder having its upper edge inclined forwardly at the front end thereof, a bladelike top fia folder disposed above said bottom fiapfo der, and having an outwardly inclined flange at. its lower edge, means for supporting said topflap folder for vertical and longitudinal tilting adjustment relative to said bottom flap folder, a front flap folder disposed in front of said bottom flap folder, and a blade-like creasing finger adjustable relative to said front flap folder, the for- I the forward end of said top flap folder overhanging said creasing finger.-

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a way, of a'bottom flap folder, a plate-like top flap folder disposed above said bottom flap folder and having an outwardly inclined flange at its lower ed e, supporting means for said top flap fol er whereby it may be vertically and tiltingly adjusted relative'to said bottom flap folder, 1 and a front flap folder provided with an adjustable creasing finger operatively associated with said top flap folder.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HOWARD H. METCALF. 

